SOMETIMES lady luck is against you when you need some good fortune the most.

1874 Northwich, found that out in a 1-0 defeat at high-flying Runcorn Linnets in Northern Premier League West.

With caretaker managers in charge, having conceded four goals in three successive defeats and then suffering the 15th-minute loss through injury of centre half Mark Jones – one of the said interim co-managers – the Greens had it all to do at the Apec Taxis Stadium.

So to concede the 77th-minute goal in the way that they did, after displaying some sterling graft and spirit, almost seemed cruel.

The solitary goal was a fluke. Former Kidsgrove Athletic and Leek Town winger Will Saxon’s cross caught the wind and went in off the post, leaving keeper Ellis Allen flabbergasted.

Two minutes earlier Allen had produced a wonderful point-blank save to prevent the hosts taking the lead.

It could be argued 1874 had the best of the other chances created.

Late in the first half, Lucas Weir beat three men and crossed the ball which was deflected to Benji Mullarkey, who could not quite connect with his strike.

Four minutes into the new half Weir lobbed home keeper Baileigh Passant from distance but the ball dropped from the sky wide of the mark.

Passant denied Matty Fenton at the back post with a fine save in the 59th minute.

1874 remain 18th in the table but bottom side Hednesford Town have closed the gap to three points after their 3-1 win at Bootle.

Northwich Victoria’s trip to Tividale in the Midland League Premier Division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

That is the fourth of the last five fixtures to fall victim to the weather for Vics.

Also called off was Winsford United’s visit to Abbey Hulton United in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Witton Albion were without a fixture but their ground staged an entertaining 3-3 draw between Winsford Town and Middlewich Town in the Mid Cheshire FA Cup group stage.

Former Witton skipper Rob Hopley was back on old home soil with his up-and-coming Winsford side and scored the goal that put Blues ahead 2-1.

Danny Fox, ex-full back at Wigan Athletic, Walsall, Coventry City, Celtic, Burnley, Southampton and Nottingham Forest, restored Winsford’s lead but the Witches again fought back to level matters.

Jaymie Roberts, two, and Elliot Booth netted for the visitors, while Will Eaton scored Winsford’s opener.

Another of our area’s Cheshire League sides, Hartford, bowed out of the JA Walton Challenge Cup at the first-round stage with a 4-0 loss at home to higher-division Vulcan.

Hartford are not having the best of seasons so far and are still looking for their first league win after nine outings.